I'm new to this and not entirely sure what to do. I've tried looking for single parent support groups in my area, and no luck. I am currently 26 years old and 31 weeks pregnant with my first child. My boyfriend and I had been together 7 months before we found out we were expecting. At the time, I was living with him at his grandparents house, stressful enough situation as is since his grandparents were CONSTANTLY arguing, cussing, and screaming at eachother. Something I'm not accustomed to, and definitely did not grow up around. In October my boyfriend lost his job, and it got to the point where neither one of us were working. Everything was fine and dandy and roses with my childs father until he found out I was pregnant and he REALLY pushed for an abortion. I refused, I could NEVER live with myself if I did that. My childs father became VERY mentally, and sometimes even sexually abusive towards me. The cops were called at one point and I left for the safety of myself and for my son (seeing as I had no close family or friends in the state of Ohio) I moved to TN where I had people for support. After about 2 weeks gone, the father of my child told me he would be going to counseling, getting another job, going through anger management and promised me that things would change. And of course, being pregnant I wanted him to be involved in the babies life and didn't want to take that experience away from him by being out of state. Fast forward to December and things have gotten really bad. He still isn't working, neither am I and the yelling and screaming in the house between him and his grandparents, etc is more than I can stand. I'm not feeling myself, I'm keeping quiet, and staying in my room 90% of the time. I just wasn't happy, when I tried to explain one morning to my boyfriend why I was feeling the way I was, he blew up at me. Started screaming at me to "Move back to TN and get knocked up by someone else", saying we should have had an abortion, and telling me I was a "piece of ****" - he cornered me, and threw a chair at me. That was the last straw and I left. Even his dad and stepmom told me it was in my best interest to leave the state and they didn't blame me one bit for getting out since they know how he is and knows his temper. Fast forward to now, I've been away from him for over a month. We still talk on Skype almost daily and are civil to eachother, still in a relationship (I guess) though, I think emotionally I'm done and the only reason I've stayed in contact is for the sake of the baby. He kept telling me he was going to come down to TN to be here for the birth of our son, etc. Then over the last week or 2 he's been coming up with excuses on why he can't be here for the birth in March. Said he doesn't have money (he spent it all on video games, he's still not working), and when I mentioned that in order for me to try and apply for benefits through the state to help with child care and cash assistance while I'm out of work, that the government requires that I file for child support. When I told him the possibility came up of him having to pay some child support to help me, he became VERY angry, and again started throwing out that he never asked for his child, and that he thinks I'm going to take him for everything he has. If it was my choice, I wouldn't go after him for child support, especially if he TRULY wants nothing to do with our baby, but then he sits there and tells me he plans on moving closer in a few months, etc. I just don't know what to do anymore, I feel like I'm losing my strength. It's so up and down with him, and I never expected to have to go through his alone. I'm sorry, I'm just venting.

welcome to APA. and sorry to hear that things are going so rough for you. if he wants to have nothing to do with the child you should have him sign off all parental rights and then kiss him goodbye. you are much better off without him.

@aljohnson2 How is it going? This is a tough subject because it is a different situation when you are in it, opposed to outside looking in. Outside looking in, from what you have said, "the sperm donor" does not deserve ANY parental rights. Being a parent is very challenging and if done carelessly the innocent child suffers most.

Hope you are still in TN or some place you have peaceful, loving support!

I was wondering if you saw this article - Tips For Doing It Alone as a Single #Parent - http://bit.ly/29nAYq4